Homemade Coconut Milk

I wasn't even a big fan of coconut milk... you know, the stuff that comes in a can. I've used it a few times for recipes (like this and this) but I wouldn't just drink it.

Then my friend shared this link about making your own coconut milk. I had the coconut on hand so I gave it a try. It took 5 minutes and is a.ma.zing.

Step 1. Boil 1 cup of water
Step 2. Put 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut in food processor or blender. I used my vitamix.
Step 3. Pour hot water over coconut.
Step 4. Pulse about 20 times, letting the mixture sit for a couple of seconds in between. (Don't run it continuously)
Step 5. Strain through a fine sieve into a jar. Refrigerate.

You can use the coconut shreds again, with another cup of hot water. The original link says you can make 4 cups of coconut milk with the same shreds.

You can also take the leftover coconut shreds, dehydrate them, and grind them into coconut flour. Thrifty!

As pictured on the original link, the coconut oil will rise to the top and solidify in the refrigerator. I am always trying to get more coconut oil in (I don't like eating it plain and I don't really eat toast, though it's great on toast) so I just stirred it back in and drank it. I also stirred in some vanilla, a few drops of liquid stevia, and about a teaspoon of cocoa powder. Yum!

Paradise Point Bushwacker

Last summer, my parents took our family on a Caribbean Cruise! It was lovely. One of the stops was St. Thomas where we rode the Skyride to Paradise Point. We also enjoyed our first Bushwackers there. Yum! When we got home we had to figure out how to replicate that.  It was pretty shocking to see that it's actually just alcohol, and it was too strong for us so we add some milk and/or cream as well. 

Recipe:

Apple Carrot Celery Juice

My husband got a juicer last year and has been juicing almost daily since he got it. I personally haven't been as into it, mostly because the cleanup factor intimidated me a little bit. The kitchen and dishes are mostly my responsibility already, so one more thing to clean didn't feel worth it. But today I decided to jump in there and make myself some juice with fruits and veggies I had in the fridge, and I was pleasantly surprised to find the cleanup took about 5 minutes and wasn't bad at all. And I feel so good drinking this juice! It's like vitamins are seeping right into my bloodstream as I drink it. Today I made apple carrot juice, with just a little celery because I really do not like celery, but I can't really taste it in the mix as long as I don't add a lot.

Plus, it's bright orange in color, which reminds me of the amazing football game we watched on New Year's Eve, where my Clemson Tigers won the Chick-fil-A bowl. Go Tigers! :) Ha, I just realized it's "ACC Juice" Heh. Doesn't take much to amuse me over here.

Apple Carrot Celery Juice - makes 1 liter of juice

4 medium-large Red Apples
4-5 Carrots
2-3 stalks Celery (or less if you aren't a fan)

Homemade Pina Colada!

I made this without rum for the kids, and used one 50 mL bottle of coconut rum for the grown-ups.  If you like your drinks stronger, you may want to use more alcohol.

Pina Colada

1 cup Fresh Pineapple or 8 oz can crushed Pineapple, with the juice

1/2 cup Coconut Milk

2 cups Ice Cubes

10-12 drops Liquid Stevia or other sweetener of choice

Rum or Coconut Rum, if desired

Combine all ingredients in a blender (I used my vitamix, of course). Blend well and serve!